The NFL is throwing the revised ‘unconferenced’ structure out the window for the 2017 Pro Bowl in favor of a more traditional approach; and the list of pro Bowl legends captains isn’t that surprising, featuring an All-Pro Tight End, a Super Bowl XXXV MVP, a Pro Football Hall of Fame Running back and a Former NFL Defensive Player of the Year to mention but a few; all in all, nothing that the NFL betting predictions didn’t see coming.
Each conference will have an offensive and defensive legends captain in the lead, with the game taking place on January 29th, 2017. Fans can catch the simulcast live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes.
The Pro Bowl rosters, for which fans can vote to select players online, will be announced on the 20th of December; and it is worth taking some time to get to know the Pro Bowl Legends Captains:
Charles Woodson
The XLV Super Bowl Champion spent 18 seasons with the Green Bay packers and the Oakland raiders; and everyone remembers the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award winner for being a standout in the NFL, his 65 interceptions placing him in sixth place on the league’s all-time rankings.
And this isn’t even taking into account his 14 defensive touchdowns. Woodson is definitely excited to participate in the week-long football celebration, especially considering all the veterans he will rub shoulders with and through whom he learned so much.
Jerome Bettis
Bettis is a member of the 2015 Pro Football Hall of Fame class. Bettis saw great success with the St. Louis Rams and the Pittsburg Steelers as well as Los Angeles, his 13-year career allowing him to become a super bowl champion.
Boasting 13,662 rushing yards and also being a 6 time Pro Bowl Selection, Bettis loves football and the Pro Bowl has always excited him, and he cannot wait to take his place as a captain, socializing with the best that football has to offer.
Ray Lewis
Lewis is an XXXV and XLVII Super Bowl Champion. His 17-year long career was mostly spent with Baltimore. You will not find another player that has registered a minimum of 30 career interceptions and 40 career sacks.
Leading in tackles during most of his seasons with the Ravens, Lewis is excited for the return to an AFC-NFC format this year, this along with the opportunities he will get to guide aspiring young athletes.
Tony Gonzalez
Gonzalez spent seventeen seasons with Kansas City and Atlanta. Boasting 111 touchdowns, 15,127 receiving yards, and 1,325 receptions, Gonzalez has also broken records with his six touchdowns and 42 receptions for the Pro Bowl.
With 14 Pro Bowl appearances, Gonzalez hasn’t been able to hide his excitement for the coming event and the opportunity it will afford him to partake in the fanfare.
Not only can the captains look forward to inviting their former high school coaches to the Pro Bowl celebrations, but those players whose teams win can expect their high school football programs to receive financial assistance from the NFL Foundation.
The Pro Bowl will be busy for all involved; it is the sort of fanfare fans and players alike cannot help but anticipate.
